Tool Automates Jobsite Safety Monitoring

A new technology developed in the U.K. could change the way onsite worker safety is handled, automating some monitoring jobs and alerting workers and safety managers if something is amiss.

SmartSite was developed by two designers from the Royal College of Art and funded by the U.K.’s InnovateUK program, infrastructure support company Amey and Network Rail, which runs the country’s rail network.

How It Works

The tool consists of a number of sensors and gauges in a plastic casing, hooked into both a cloud-based software and alert siren and lights. With SmartSite set up on a jobsite, the sensors keep track of air quality, UV exposure and noise exposure, relaying that information via the web so that it can be monitored onsite and offsite as well if warranted.

The company aims to make SmartSite a tool that’s easy to transport and quick to deploy on a job, so that monitoring can be done more accurately and easily.

If exposure limits are exceeded, onsite alarms will let workers know, and in some circumstances, alerts can be deployed offsite as well.

Reporting and Analyzing

SmartSite isn’t purported to make onsite safety managers obsolete, but can free health and safety monitors up to focus on other factors, according to product marketing materials. And the company aims to make it a tool that’s easy to transport and quick to deploy on a job, so that monitoring can be done more accurately and easily.

The software also allows for companies to compile reports and visualize data related to exposure, and predict and mitigate risks on future jobs.

While prototype models have been produced, SmartSite is still in testing right now; the company says it hopes to start shipping in 2017.